By David Smith, M.Sc., CSCS., SDL (He/Him) One of my first real applicable experiences in infusing sport psychology with coaching started well before I became involved at all. That is, I was coaching one weekly session for the large adult master’s inclusive swim team that was focused on technical skill development and conditioning. This group … Continue reading Standard of Expectation, Culture of Performance, and the Wednesday Problem
Exercise Gaming as a Mental Health Intervention, Exercise Psychology and Dance Dance Revolution
By David Smith, M.Sc., CSCS., SDL (He/Him) + Art by Bandcamp Exercise Psychology co-exists as a separate by complementary component within our field of Sport Psychology. However, unlike sport psychology, exercise psychology focuses less on performance and more on motivation to develop and maintain consistent exercise and physical activity behaviors. Furthermoe, exercise psychology works more … Continue reading Exercise Gaming as a Mental Health Intervention, Exercise Psychology and Dance Dance Revolution
Praise: Despite Good Intentions, How Much is too Much?
By David Smith, M.Sc., CSCS., SDL (He/Him) Praise is often used with best intentions. After all, who doesn't love some positive reeforcement with a pat on the back and a "good job!" when you do something well. Just like anything else, too much praise can turn into a bad thing and have the opposite of … Continue reading Praise: Despite Good Intentions, How Much is too Much?
How Sport and Exercise Can Reaffirm Gender Identity
By David Smith, M.Sc., SDL (He/Him) Humans, regardless of gender identity, are designed to move. It is within our very nature as a species to be active and express ourselves through movement. When you look at the vast number of ways that humans have developed different ways to move, you’ll realize that physical activity is … Continue reading How Sport and Exercise Can Reaffirm Gender Identity
When it Comes to Breaking Down Barriers in Sport, Creating a Safe Space Just Isn’t Enough
By David “Dirk” Smith, M.Sc., SDL (He/Him) The most common element when it comes to developing grassroots inclusive sport structures is building a “safe space” type of culture that is free from judgement, prejudice, and discrimination that LGBTQ+ people, especially trans/nonbinary and POC experience. Sport has long been an institution that is founded and … Continue reading When it Comes to Breaking Down Barriers in Sport, Creating a Safe Space Just Isn’t Enough
Athlete or Performer? Basics of Performance Psychology
What's the difference between an athlete and a performer? Well, not much really but at the same time, there's a lot different. An "athlete" a person who is proficient in sports and other forms of physical exercise whereas a "performer" is a person who executes a skill or a talent in front of an audience. … Continue reading Athlete or Performer? Basics of Performance Psychology
One Week, 20 Students in a Small German Town and a Big Finish – My First Experience Teaching with the Studienstiftung
As part of my graduate school goals and pursuits has been to gain valuable teaching experience at the college level in order for me to be better prepared for a career in collegiate teaching and academia upon graduating. This has been easier said than done as I’ve overcome various challenges and barriers to achieve the … Continue reading One Week, 20 Students in a Small German Town and a Big Finish – My First Experience Teaching with the Studienstiftung
Fit for Fat, My Story of Ü100 and Creating One of the Only Fitness Classes Specifically for Larger People
By David “Dirk” Smith, M.Sc., SDL (He/Him) It is well established that the fitness industry is obsessed with weight loss and aesthetics when it comes to marketing fitness and exercise for people. The pervasiveness of fitness and diet culture has become an obsession in our modern society where a person’s physical appearance is often subject … Continue reading Fit for Fat, My Story of Ü100 and Creating One of the Only Fitness Classes Specifically for Larger People
Strength Training for Top Surgery, Tips for Trans Men and Non-Binary People
For a lot of trans men, top surgery is recognized as one of the major guiding points in gender affirming care. During top surgery, the surgeon will remove the breasts, remove excess skin, and if necessary, reposition the nipples. For most trans men, this is a generally positive, life changing experience and goes a long way toward enhancing gender identity by adjusting appearance to fit more in line with a masculine gender identity. Chest-focused weight lifting can enhance the contour of your chest and improve your final results over time.
Exercise and Living with HIV/AIDS
By Dirk Smith, MSc, CSCS, SDL (He/Him) It’s no doubt that HIV/AIDS has had a huge impact on the LGBTI community; it has affected many people within our community. Today over 36.7 million people are living with HIV/AIDS and there have been many advancements in educational, prevention and treatment services offered that have turned the disease from … Continue reading Exercise and Living with HIV/AIDS
stonewallperformance.com 